PUNCTUATION RULES:

QUESTION MARKS, EXCLAMATION POINTS, QUOTATION MARKS AND PARENTHESES

QUESTION MARKS

Rule 1. Use a question mark only after a direct question.

Examples: Will you go with me?

I asked if he would go with me.

Rule 2. Use a question mark when a sentence is half statement and half question.

Example: You do care, don’t you?

EXCLAMATION POINTS

Rule. Use exclamation points to show emphasis or surprise. Do not use the exclamation
point in formal business letters.

Example: I’m truly shocked by your behavior!

QUOTATION MARKS

Rule 1. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes.

Examples: The sign changed from “Walk,” to “Don’t Walk,” to “Walk” again within thirty
seconds.
She said, “Hurry up.”
She said, “He said, ‘Hurry up.”’

Rule 2. The placement of question marks with quotes follows logic. If a question is in
quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quotation marks.

Examples: She asked, “Will you still be my friend?”

Do you agree with the saying, “All’s fair in love and war”?
Here the question is outside the quote.

Note: Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks. Also, the stronger
punctuation mark wins. Therefore, no period after war is used.

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Rule 3. When you have a question outside quoted material AND inside quoted material, use
only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark.

Example: Did she say, ‘‘May I go?’’

Rule 4. Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes
inside all quote marks.

Example: He said, “Danea said, ‘Do not treat me that way.’”

Rule 5. Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only.

Examples: “When will you be here?” he asked.

He asked when you will be there.

Rule 6. Do not use quotation marks with quoted material that is more than three lines in
length. See Colons, Rule 4, for style guidance with longer quotes.

Rule 7. When you are quoting something that has a spelling or grammar mistake or
presents material in a confusing way, insert the term sic in italics and enclose it in brackets.
Sic means, ‘‘This is the way the original material was.’’

Example: She wrote, ‘‘I would rather die then [sic] be seen wearing the same outfit as my
sister.’’
Should be than, not then.

PARENTHESES

Rule 1. Use parentheses to enclose words or figures that clarify or are used as an aside.

Examples: I expect five hundred dollars ($500).

He finally answered (after taking five minutes to think) that he did not
understand the question.
Commas could have been used in the above example. Parentheses show less
emphasis or importance. Em dashes (-), which could also have been used
instead of parentheses, show emphasis.

Rule 2. Use full parentheses to enclose numbers or letters used for listed items.

Example: We need an emergency room physician who can (1) think quickly, (2) treat
patients respectfully, and (3) handle complaints from the public.

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Rule 3. Periods go inside parentheses only if an entire sentence is inside the parentheses.

Examples: Please read the analysis (I enclosed it as Attachment A.).

OR
Please read the analysis. (I enclosed it as Attachment A.)
OR
Please read the analysis (Attachment A).